Twelve crew members of
Swiss-flagged cargo ship MV Glarus, who were kidnapped in
September while underway toward Port
of Harcourt, Nigeria, have been freed, the Swiss authorities informed.
Swiss-flagged cargo ship MV Glarus, who were kidnapped in
September while underway toward Port
of Harcourt, Nigeria, have been freed, the Swiss authorities informed.
The ship was underway,
loaded with a cargo of bulk wheat, around 45 nautical miles southwest of Bonny
Island when it was boarded by a gang of pirates, who took 12 out of 19 crew
members hostage.
The remaining seven mariners were allowed to stay on the ship.
The sailors manning the ship at the
time were from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Philippines, Romania,
Slovakia and Ukraine.
The release of the mariners
followed a month-long negotiations between the shipping company Massoel Shipping and the
kidnappers. Finally, the hostages were released on Friday, October 26, and
were transferred to Switzerland, Basel’s prosecution office said.
followed a month-long negotiations between the shipping company Massoel Shipping and the
kidnappers. Finally, the hostages were released on Friday, October 26, and
were transferred to Switzerland, Basel’s prosecution office said.
As informed, upon arrival
the released seafarers were questioned before departing to their home
countries.
the released seafarers were questioned before departing to their home
countries.
The terms of their release
were not disclosed.
were not disclosed.
The local authorities are
investigating the case in order to capture the still unknown perpetrators.
investigating the case in order to capture the still unknown perpetrators.
World Maritime News
